Jutland, Battle Of

(May 31–June 1, 1916) Only major encounter between the British and German fleets in World War I, fought in the Skagerrak, an arm of the North Sea off the coast of Jutland (Denmark). The battle came to an indecisive end, and both sides claimed victory.

Germany destroyed and crippled more ships and men, but Britain retained control of the North Sea. The tactics of the British admiral John R. Jellicoe were criticized at the time, but his strategic victory left the German high-seas fleet ineffective for the rest of the war.